Identification of key-use



June 13, W67 J. MITCHELL 3,324,586

IDENTIFICATION OF KEY -USE Filed Dec. 10, 1964 FIG. I

3 WK SECTION AA 3 FIG. 3 I\ M SECTIONBB INVENTOR:

NANCY J. MITCHE L L 3,324,586 IDENTIFICATION OF KEY-USE Nancy J.Mitcheli, 30600 Springland Drive, Farmington, Mich. 48024 Filed Dec. 10,1964, Ser. No. 417,370 1 Claim. (Cl. 40-330) This invention relates tothe identification of keys as regards their use wherein the key itselfis made adaptable to marking by the owner or user so that the lock forwhich the key is used, or the general use or application of the key, isidentified on the key.

In view of the state of the art, it is the principal object of thepresent invention to allow the owner or user to readily identify fromthe key the specific lock for which the key is to be used, or generaluse or application of the key; such as: front door, specific car,office, trunk, cottage, workshop, etc.

It is also the object of the present invention to be applicable to alltypes of locks or locking type mechanisms which require a separate keyto operate them.

Another object of the present invention is that it can readily beapplied to new keys or keys which are already lI1 use.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide amarkable card or material which can be inserted in a punched or cut outportion of the top of the key and covered, if necessary, with a clearplastic or other transparent protective material. The card or materialinsert would slide out one side or otherwise be accessible to the owneror user in order that he may write, print, or otherwise mark the use oruses for which the key is to be put.

The many objects and advantages of the present invention will he morefully understood upon consideration of the following discussion and theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a two-dimension front view of a key in which the top parthas had a portion cut out.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged transverse section AA of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged transverse section BB of FIGURE 1.

FIGURES 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are two-dimension front views of keys with thetop portions having sections cut out and identifying cards inserted. Thevarious uses for identifications are indicated in the various keysshown. The examples are not meant to be exclusive.

While the method of identifying the key as above is practical and easilyadaptable to all types of keys, it obviously can be identified in manyways without depart- 3,324,586 Patented June 13, 1967 ing from theinvention and without altering the mode of operation.

I prefer to punch, stamp or cut a rectangular piece from the top portionof the key in such a manner that the space could be filled by a White orlight colored card or other material upon one or both sides of which theuse of the key may be written, printed, or otherwise marked, and whichslides into position and snaps into place by the force of thetransparent material which may be on one or both sides of the markablecard or material and held in position in grooves cut into the key.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein FIGURE 1 illustrates a key 1 witha punched, stamped, or otherwise cut space 2 in which the edge 3 aroundthe space and to the limit of the thickness of the key, is V grooved andground or cut (tapered) at one end of the space 4 in order that a cardor other material and transparent protective covering material mayeasily be slipped in and out of position. FIGURE 2 is an enlargedtransverse section AA of FIGURE 1 showing both the V groove 3 andtapered area 4. FIGURE 3 is an enlarged transverse section BB of FIGURE1 showing the V groove on the other two sides of the space 2.

With reference to FIGURE 4, the key with identifying card 5 is shownwith identification of the use of the key 6 and the covering material 7.

I claim:

A key for retaining identifying material comprising:

a top portion and a shank portion;

said top portion having a rectangular space therein extending throughthe thickness of the key; and edges on said top portion defined by saidspace through the thickness of said key and extending around at leastthree sides of said space; said edges being V-grooved through saidthickness to hold said identifying material in said space; the edge onone of said sides being tapered to allow said identifying material to beslipped in and out of position in said space.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 312,545 2/1885 Zeilin 40--3301,219,706 3/1917 Dahne 40330 1,653,581 12/1927 McKellar 40- 3303,093,920 6/1963 Epstein et al. 40-330 EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, PrimaryExaminer.

W. GRIEB, Assistant Examiner.

